# NTSB ANC86LA029: Cessna 185, N70308, Mccarthy, AK, February 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1986, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Mccarthy, AK
- Location: 61.4378° N, 142.9025° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MCCARTHY (15Z), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4378&lon=-142.9025&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA029

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TOUCHED DOWN TOO HARD AND THE MAIN WHEELS BROKE THROUGH THE CRUST ON THE SNOW. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE PLANE TO NOSE OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N70308 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502104
- Airframe hours: 2856
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard P. Downing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1985, 28 hours before
- Departed: GKN, GULKAWA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 15Z, Mccarthy #2, runway 1, 4,200 × 80 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 601 total, 28 in this make and model, 531 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860215003419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860215003419A), Feb 15, 1986: Cessna A185F, Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. Touched down while intending to drag runway to check snow depth. Wheel broke through crust. Aircraft flipped over.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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